The young man returned to the noodle stall close to midnight. After coming back he tied on his apron and continued silently helping his grandfather with the work.
For those running night stalls this time was already very late. On the rather remote street almost no people could be seen anymore. But the old man at the noodle stall added lamp oil to the lantern again. Clearly he wanted to hold on a bit longer and do some more business.
Approaching dawn, the sound of horse hooves and carriage wheels broke the quiet.
A luxurious carriage appeared on the street under the night. There were seven or eight guard personnel in front and behind the carriage.
The lantern hanging on the carriage was from the Zhong residence. Anyone in the know would see at a glance that it was Master Zhong from the Zhong residence returning home.
When the convoy turned into the alley, the old man kneading dough at the stall suddenly pulled the dough apart and swung it up and down. He slammed it onto the table three times with loud thuds, then kneaded and rubbed it again.
The leader of the convoy was a big fellow, a burly man with a full beard. His slightly moving gaze constantly watched the shadows ahead and to the sides.
People nearby in the know all knew that this person was Master Zhongs personal guard. He was also the steward in charge of the entire Zhong residence guard security, named Du Fei.
He suddenly turned his mount, stopped at the side, jumped off the horse, I am a bit hungry, I will go eat a bowl of noodles. He handed the horse to others to lead away, and himself walked towards the noodle stall.
When the convoy reached the main gate of the Zhong residence, Du Fei had also walked to the stall and sat down, Bring a bowl of noodles.
Alright, Master Du please wait a moment. The old man called out, turned to uncover the pot, pulled the cut noodles and put them into the pot, covered the lid, continued kneading dough, and with his back to Du Fei said, Just now someone was probing the bottom of the Zhong residence.
Du Fei likewise with his back turned, What kind of person?
The old man, Came by carriage, a young man, looks rather handsome, with a heavy sword hanging at his waist, does not seem like a capital person, sounds like the accent from Lie prefecture side.
Lie prefecture… Du Fei thought for a moment, then asked, What did he ask about?
The old man, He inquired in a roundabout way about the personnel situation of the Zhong residence. He heard the master was not at home and asked when the master would return. Oh right, he seemed particularly concerned about the situation of the two young ladies and asked in quite some detail.
Du Fei, Do you know where the person is staying?
The young man squatting to one side washing bowls spoke up, The official guild hall of Lie prefecture. The carriage was rented from Sheng Ji carriage shop, and the driver was also from Sheng Ji.
Lie prefecture guild hall? Du Fei clearly paused for a moment, puzzled, The grand exam is approaching. Now the guild halls of each prefecture should all have been cleared for the examinees to stay. Could he be an examinee?
The young man, Do not know. There are soldiers guarding it, so could not go in.
Du Fei pondered for a while, then said, You have seen the person. Later you go together for a trip.
The young man gave an嗯 sound.
The noodles were cooked. They were brought to the table. Du Fei slurped them up noisily, threw down the money and returned to the Zhong residence.
And the noodle stall also finished its last order of business and began to pack up.
In the streets and alleys the watchmans drum for the yin hour sounded.
A solitary lamp was on the desk. Du Fei behind the long desk sat cross legged with eyes closed in meditation.
Someone outside the moon gate came with hurried steps. Approaching, he bent down, presented a note with both hands, and placed it neatly in front of Du Fei, Steward, the basic information is here.
Du Fei slowly withdrew his energy and opened his eyes. He took the note from the desk, opened it and checked it under the lamp light while muttering, Lie prefecture, Changming prefecture, Liangtao county, Angui town, Jiupo village, Ah… The muttering words got stuck. His eyes suddenly widened a few degrees. His gaze stared fixedly at the name Ah Shi Heng. The person also slowly stood up.
The person in front of the desk was startled, Steward, what is wrong?
Du Fei looked carefully again, took a deep breath, and slowly closed the note, So it is an examinee.
The person in front of the desk asked, Need a detailed check?
Du Fei waved his hand, No need. Go down and rest.
The person in front of the desk cupped his hands, retreated two steps, then turned and left.
With no other people around, Du Fei opened the note in his hand again. Looking at the content on it he muttered to himself, So he was hiding in Lie prefecture. Little young master, you have finally come.
Early morning.
In the inner residence of the Zhong family, Madam Zhong, Wen Jianhui, wore a brocade long skirt. Though half old she still retained charm and did not lose dignity. The natural air of the female master was there. She smiled gently while helping her two daughters choose head ornaments.
The ornaments were made in the palace. They were brought back by Master Zhong yesterday as gifts for the three women in the family to wear when going out to meet people.
Southeast outside the city there was a scenic spot called Lingci Mountain. It was precisely the place where spiritual rice was planted. At the time when the spiritual rice flowers bloomed most vigorously, that sea of flowers had boundless scenery. Lingci Mountain would open to the outside for one day for some noble people to come appreciate the flowers. Ordinary people were refused entry. That kind of place was indeed unsuitable when there were too many people.
For women it was another day of dressing up beautifully and competing in splendour. They had looked forward to it for a long time. Beautiful clothes and beautiful ornaments were indispensable. If Master Zhong did not get some ornaments and give an explanation it would also be hard to endure.
The one in a white skirt with delicate and picturesque features was the eldest daughter. She was graceful and reserved, pure and elegant like a亭亭玉立 summer lotus. As soon as she came into view it gave a fresh and pleasing feeling.
The woman in a yellow gauze outer garment and skirt was the younger daughter. Her appearance was pretty and delicate. There was cleverness between her brows and eyes. She also looked good. She was clearly more lively than her elder sister. When mother and elder sister spoke she chattered and interrupted nonstop.
The eldest daughter was named Zhong Ruochen. The younger daughter was named Wen Ruwei. Clearly the names were taken according to the birth time.
The second daughter followed the mothers surname.
In his early years Master Zhong was only a clerk in his wifes family shop. The shopkeeper had no heir. When he married his daughter to Master Zhong, Master Zhong had agreed that there would be one to be adopted into the Wen family. Unexpectedly Wen Jianhui herself had an unpromising belly. She could not give birth to a son to adopt into the Wen family. After giving birth to two daughters her belly stopped. So it could only be like this.
Fortunately the Wen shopkeeper had not misjudged the person. Master Zhong had truly developed the small shop that his father in law had operated for decades without progress to the current level.
It was just that fate played tricks. The current Master Zhong seemed to face the old situation that the late Wen shopkeeper had back then. There was no son to inherit the family business. It could also be considered that the Wen shopkeeper back then had foresight. Even facing this situation, Shopkeeper Zhong had not done the thing of taking a concubine to have a son.
In this world this was simply an unbelievable thing. This was not the small shop of the Wen shopkeeper back then that could be given to outsiders. Now the huge family business of the Zhong family, if given away so easily, would he really not feel any heartache at all?
Madam Zhong also felt quite guilty. She had also been anxious and even used quite a few folk remedies. But her belly had no reaction. Later when she got older she just let nature take its course. She herself had also hinted to Master Zhong that as long as in the future he was willing to take out half the property as dowry for her two daughters, she could turn a blind eye to other matters.
The hint had already been very obvious. But Master Zhong had not done that. Outside at most there would occasionally be a red face for pleasure.
There had also been incidents. A certain red face wanted to use pregnancy to rise in position. But she was easily dealt with by Master Zhong and could not stir up any waves.
Marrying the daughter of the Zhong family was equivalent to dividing into the Zhong family property. Moreover the two daughters of the Zhong family were beautiful. Countless people coveted them.
After picking the ornaments she liked, Wen Ruwei who was eager to show them off could not sit still. She bounced and jumped, Mother, what is wrong with father? What time is this already? It is time to set off. Why has he not come yet?
Look at you walking around with your hands behind your back. Where does that look like a young lady? Madam Zhong helped put ornaments on the eldest daughters head while scolding the younger daughter. After pulling the ornament from the eldest daughters hair bun she changed it for another one to compare, Your father came back late last night. Let him sleep a bit more. It will not delay your going to play.
Wen Ruwei walked over, one hand on her waist and one hand on her mothers shoulder, Mother, I know you find me an eyesore. Rest assured, this time going to Lingci Mountain I will definitely casually pull back some young master for you to be your son in law.
Dead girl. Madam Zhong was annoyed. She picked up the hairpin and poked.
The young person reacted quickly. Wen Ruwei bounced and jumped away. She made a face to the side and said with a smile, Just joking. Rest assured, elder sister has not married yet. How could it be my turn.
Zhong Ruochen sitting in front of the mirror gave a gentle smile.
Madam Zhong however could not help sighing. Speaking of this eldest daughters marriage she was also worried. The inside story could not be told to outsiders.
In the inner courtyard, a man with a fair face, long beard, slightly greying temples on both sides, and a dignified bearing walked out from the room. He went to the temporary deck chair placed in the courtyard, lay down and closed his eyes to rest.
It was no one else but the master of the Zhong residence, Master Zhong Su, Zhong Yuanwai.
The servants at the side had already prepared hot water long ago. They soaked the towel in water, wrung it dry, and applied the hot compress to Master Zhongs face. After a while they took it off, then used soap paste to smear on the face. After that they took a sharp razor to clean and shave his face. Finally they used a wet towel to carefully clean the face again.
After the guard steward Du Fei came he stood to one side without disturbing and waited quietly.
Everything was finished. Master Zhong got up and entered the room again. Du Fei followed in. To Master Zhong who habitually had a cup of tea after washing he said, Yuanwai, last night someone was probing the bottom of the Zhong residence.
Master Zhong slowly savouring tea did not mind. He blew on the hot air, If there is nothing special you can handle it as you see fit.
Du Fei, It is the little young master. The little young master has returned.
Uh… Master Zhong raised his head, somewhat at a loss, Which little young master?
Du Fei took out the note from last night and handed it to him.
Master Zhong put down the tea cup, received the note, opened it and looked. At first he looked puzzled. After seeing the three characters Ah Shi Heng he suddenly stood up, actually knocking over the round stool behind him. He checked it repeatedly again, raised his head and asked, Are you sure it is him?
Du Fei, The possibility of this name appearing as a namesake is not big. Moreover he was probing the bottom of the Zhong residence. It can basically be confirmed that he has come.
Master Zhong looked at the note again and gave a sound, He has finally come. My daughter is almost waiting until old. Then he frowned again, looked at Du Fei, and asked puzzled, He is probing the bottom of the Zhong residence? Is there any bottom of ours that he does not know clearly? What does his sneaky behaviour mean?
Du Fei, Coming to the capital but not coming to the Zhong residence, I also wonder what he means. Also, he has come to sit the capital exam. In principle the old master should have sent a letter in advance to inform us so we could arrange to receive him.
Yes, after the old master sent a letter three years ago there has been no more contact. What exactly does this boy want to do? Wait, coming to the capital for the exam… Du Fei lowered his head to look at the note again, Examinee, he has come to sit the capital exam. It seems the old master wants him to achieve fame on the golden list. Hmm, Lie prefecture provincial exam ranking one hundred and six… The corner of his mouth twitched slightly. He raised his eyes to look at Du Fei.
Du Fei smiled, the smile somewhat awkward, With this provincial exam result wanting to achieve fame on the golden list probably has no hope.